Concrete wearing surface



W. E. FICKLEN.

CONCRETE WEARING SURFACE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, I920- Patented 00$. 17, 11922.

Patented @ct. 17, E922.

WILLIAM E. FICKLEN, 0F NORFQLK, VIRGINIA.

CONCRETE WEARING SURFACE.

Application filed November 15, 1920. Serial No. 424,175..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. FIOKLEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Norfolk, county of Norfolk, and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Concrete Wearing Surfaces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to concrete roads, pavementsfiloors and the like, and particularl to the wearing surfaces thereof. My device is adapted to be used in pavements, borders of pavements, gutters, runways, floors, ramps, platforms, safety treads and such like.

The objects of the invention are to improve and strengthen such wearing surfaces, as well as to increase their durability and general wearing qualities.

The invention resides generally in a concrete wearing surface reinforced by tie elements embedded therein'below the surface and having fin elements connected therewith, extending edgewise to the surface and capable of substantially uniform wear with the surface, so as to continue to register therewith during the life of the surface.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification;

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of a wearing surface constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective-view of one form of my new reinforcementconsisting of ties and fins.

Figure 3 shows a modification.

Figure 4 shows another modification.

Like reference numerals indicate corre sponding parts in the different figures of the drawing.

The wearing surface reinforcement of my invention, as shown in Figure 2, comprises one or more longitudinal tie elements 12 which are intended to lie below and parallel with the surface of the wear body 3. Two ties are shown in Figure 2 and three in Figure 4 with holes shown in each figure for an extra tie if desired but it will be understood that I may lessen or increase the number if required.

The wear body 3 may be of any desired materials and construction. I prefer to employ hydraulic concrete with or Without an aggregate, or of any sized aggregate depending on the character, location and use .of the wear body.

Connected with the tie elements 1 and 2 are one or more fins a which may be formed as independent fins or as a single integral strip, as preferred.

These fins when set in place on edge register at the top with the wearing surface and are constructed of a metal capable of wearifng at substantially the same rate as the surace.

In all the figures I have shown the fins are formed with holes 5 which may be utilized either to receive anadditional tie, or to permit the concrete to set therethrough and thus further rivet or interweave the fins with the wear body.

In Figure 2 the fins are bent into integral, alternately reversed figures, thereby forming triangular formations with edges extendin' at difierent angles to each other.

In igure 3 the ribbon of which the fins are formed is bent to present alternate U- shaped pockets, each of which is closed by a reversely set individual [Ll-member 6. The

ties 1 and 2 penetrate the ribbon as well as the separate U-members, thus holding all together.

The construction shown in Figure 4 is the same as that shown in Figure 3 except that an additional tie member 7 is electric-welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lower edges of the fins. 1

All of the ties may be secured to the fins by welding if desired, or they may be simply passed through holes and bent at their ends as shown in Figure 1. In either case, the reinforcement may be cut to length and inserted into the surface in longitudinal courses all over the surface or along special parts thereof as desired.

The efiect of all the -modifications is to rovide ties belowthe surface of the wear ody and fins connected therewith, e1l of the fins bein on edge and some being'parallel with an others at an angle to the ties.

The fins are alwa s set closely enough togather to be easily ridged bywthe size and pro er form and place.

he construction disclosed may be employed not only for surfaces butfor the borders of pavements and floors and for safety treads. This arrangement of metal ribbon forms a continuous metal binder on the outer edge or surface of such structures and serves as a true and superior reinforcement for such edges and wearing surfaces.

In short, my construction provides what may be described as a dead, soft, closely set,

ribbon steel reinforcement for the surfaces and borders of pavements, floors and other analogous structures.

Certain advantages are attendant upon the employment of a single continuous fin or ribbon such as that shown in Figs. 1. and 2, inasmuch as there are no loose ends such as sometimes, as the surface wears away, are turned upward and form splinters or snags. It is desirable also sometimes that the various folds or bends be kept at a distance from each other, a distance suflicient to permit the free admission of the concrete into the spaces between them, thereby avoiding the formation of corners or spots where the concrete may not freely enter and which form rust spots and points of weakness and loose and uneven places in the pavement. In other cases this may be unimportant.

The bights of the loops are shown brought to a comparatively straight or continuous way, as by edge. This is advantageous especially when the fabric is used for borders or for narrow .runways, like the tracks for wheeled vehicles, pathways for livestock, and in similar instances. 1

In placing my fabric I bring the surface of the concrete to the desired level and then just as the concrete, which I make rather stiff, is beginning to set,.I lay thereon strips of suitable length and roll or work it into the concrete till the u per ribbon edge "is flush with the desired face and the ties anchored well below the surface. I then trowel it off and work the concrete into all the joints of the fabric, till a smooth even surface is presented with the upper edges just awash,as it were. The ties or rods may be supportedlduring this in any suitable V blocks. The small" volume of concrete actually dis laced is easily worked over the surface an distributed.

My fabric may be made in continuous length if desired, or may be made in pieces of definite lengths. It may be cut as needed into pieces as long as desired. It may be Wound into large spools or coiled for shipment, or may be sent out in straight lengths.

It is to be noted that by this method of supporting the ribbon steel in substantial registry with the surface while the cement is comparatively plastic, said small rods prevent it from 'settlin down'too fast or too deep, as well as forming a true reinforcement near the wearing surface thus preventinglongb tudinal cracks from starting.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A concrete wear body having ties ther in below the surface thereof, and a ribbon of metal bent to form a plurality of alternately oppositely-disposed fins through- Which said ties pass, said fins extended edge wise to the surface.

2. A concrete wear body comprising a ribbon of metal formed into a series of integral verticallydisposed fins arranged to present their upper edges for wear, the bends being sufficiently separated to permit the admission of the concrete into the spaces between them, 2nd ties joining the said fins below the surace.

3. As a reinforcement for'concrete traffic bearing surfaces, a ribbon of metal having abrasive resisting qualities substantially equal to those of the concrete, said ribbon bent to form a multiplicity of alternate pockets, apart, and a tie member arranged below the surface and connected with the said ribbon to hold the walls of the pockets in relative fixed position.

4. As a reinforcement for concrete traflic bearing surfaces, a ribbon of metal having abrasive resisting qualities substantially equal to those of the concrete, said ribbon bent to form a multiplicity of alternate pockets, apart, and a tie member arranged below the surface and connected with the said ribbon to hold the walls of the pockets in relative fixed position, the bends being sufficiently separated to permit the admission of concrete therebetween throughout their surfaces.

5. As a reinforcement for concrete trafiic bearing surfaces, a ribbon of metal having abrasion resisting qualities substantially equal to those of the concrete, said ribbon bent to make alternate U-shaped pockets, apart, said ribbon being provided with a series of holes in len thwise re 'stry, and a tie member strung tlrough said holes and secured to the ribbon at one or more points.

6. As a reinforcementv for concrete surfaces, in combination, a ribbon of soft steel bent back and forth upon itself, all in one plane, said ribbon provided with rows of perforations in registry, and strung through said perforations, ties or rods, said holes be-' ing so located and the construction being 10 epemb sufficiently to permit eonerete to ember between them, the hi hfcs of said loops brought $0 an subseentie iy straight line, said ribbon provided Wiih rows of perforations, and tie-rods secured in said perforations,

the whole fabric being mede in indefinite 15 length.

WILLIAM FICKLEN. In resemee of- 1 VELYN H. IRVINE, MARGARET HENDRY. 

